Four players to watch in the IPTL

If you want to sound like an International Premier Tennis League pundit, pay attention.

The International Premier Tennis League comes to Indian shores today amidst much fanfare as the ‘Gods of Tennis’ descend on Delhi for the third leg of this inaugural season.

While the likes of Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic are likely to corner all the headlines, these are the stars definitely worth keeping an eye on this weekend.

Kirsten Flipkens will be desperate not to be the whipping girl in her team

Kirsten Flipkens, Manila Mavericks

At 28, Flipkens is a veteran of the sport by women’s tennis standards, and hails from the land which gave us modern greats like Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters. A former Wimbledon and US Open junior champion, Flipkens’ biggest claim to fame is a run to the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2013 where she lost to eventual champion Marion Bartoli.

Belgium’s Sportswoman of the Year for 2013 will be taking on the likes of Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic this weekend, and she’ll be desperate not to be the whipping girl in her team.

Nicholas Hilmy Kyrgios is one of the most promising talents around

Nicholas Hilmy Kyrgios, Singapore Slammers

The 19-year-old Aussie is a wildcard in the Singapore Slammers team this weekend, and though he isn’t likely to see much singles action due to the presence of Czech star Tomas Berdych, Kyrgios is likely to play a lot of doubles matches and looks primed to entertain.

‘Nick’ had a breakthrough season on the ATP Tour this year, enjoying an incredible run to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon which included a four-set win over Rafael Nadal.

Blessed with a big serve and on the verge of breaking into the top 50 of the ATP rankings, Kyrgios could well be a future Grand Slam champion.

Bopanna and Gael Monfils need to step up their Doubles game

Rohan Bopanna, Indian Aces

Currently leading the IPTL, the Indian Aces are only expected to get better this weekend with Roger Federer and Pete Sampras joining the fun. One man who has done his share of the business while the stars have been away is home product Bopanna.

Stepping out of the massive shadows of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, the 34-year-old will be playing in the Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles events this weekend, most probably with Gael Monfils and Sania Mirza, respectively. Bopanna and Mirza have been in exceptional form in the tournament thus far, losing just one match. The same cannot be said about Bopanna and Monfils though, who have really struggled in their partnership, losing more often than not.

Yet to taste success at the Grand Slam level, the Bengaluru boy was a runner-up at the 2010 US Open, where he created waves partnering with Pakistan’s best ever tennis export Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.

Bopanna’s powerful serve could surprise fans who haven’t seen him play live before, and his natural serve and volley style is rather pleasing to the eye.

Kristina Mladenovic is one of the most accomplished Doubles players on the roster

Kristina Mladenovic, UAE Royals

The Royals have been operating at half strength for most of the IPTL thus far, but with Novak Djokovic and Caroline Wozniacki joining the party this weekend, business is bound to pick-up. One person who has been ever present for the Royals so far this season is 21-year-old Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic.

The 6-foot tall right-hander is currently ranked 68th in the world in singles, and enjoyed the biggest win of her career earlier this year when she stunned Li Na in the first round of the French Open.

A more natural doubles player, Mladenovic is already a two-time Grand Slam champion, having won the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles last year and the Australian Open Mixed Doubles, this. On both occasions, she partnered Daniel Nestor, who unfortunately for her will be on the opposite side of the net when she takes on the Manila Mavericks.

With Wozniacki arriving, Mladenovic might not play more than one singles match this weekend, but her partnership with veteran Nenad Zimonjic in the Mixed Doubles should make for some really entertaining tennis.